Active-Shooter Drill: A Lesson for Nursing and EMS Students

Franciscan-Collage-03-30-15A first-ever active shooter simulation drill involving some 25 University of St. Francis-Crown Point nursing students, 16 Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point emergency medical technician and paramedic students, and numerous area fire departments and ambulance services, took place at the university March 30 with the purpose of enhancing participants’ preparedness and safety procedures.

In the scenario, at least four students were killed and 16 other students and employees injured after the deranged gunman, portrayed by Phil Buckingham, a three-year Lakes of the Four Seasons firefighter and emergency medical technician, entered the building. He took out his first victim, university receptionist Caitlyn Walsh, who survived a chest wound, then proceeded down hallways and into classrooms where he shot students before leaving the building and being apprehended by police. Nursing students assessed injuries and provided aid for the injured until emergency medical services personnel arrived to further assess and transport them. An evaluation meeting was conducted following the drill. Last fall, the students conducted their first joint simulation exercise at the university, involving a multi-vehicle accident.